1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | The Motorola is slightly wider, which might affect one-handed use for some. Both are similar in height and thickness. |
| Weight | 197g | 196g | Both feel very similar in hand, weight difference is negligible. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | The OnePlus 9 Pro has slightly better scratch and drop resistance on the screen. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both offer the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | The OnePlus 9 Pro provides a noticeably sharper and more detailed display, especially for text and fine details. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 393 ppi | OnePlus 9 Pro display appears much crisper and less pixelated than Motorola Edge 30 Pro |
| Technology | OLED | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro has better contrast, deeper blacks, and richer colors due to its OLED display. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro will offer slightly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro screen is significantly more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. The 0 nits value for the Motorola Edge 30 Pro seems to be an error as it would be unreadable outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a newer and more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,061,400 | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is expected to feel noticeably snappier and more responsive in daily use. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro will perform better in graphically intensive games. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, 1/1.43" sensor | 50MP, 1/1.55" sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro's larger sensor can capture slightly better low-light photos. Resolution difference is minor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, 1/3.13" sensor | 60MP, 1/2.8" sensor | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro's selfie camera captures much more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape and group shots |
| Portrait Mode Lens | None | 2MP | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers better depth sensing for portrait photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 50MP | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers wide and macro shots with this lens. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro allows capturing monochrome photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both phones offer high-resolution video recording, but the Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a higher slow-motion recording frame rate. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Mobile: 101, Photo: 107, Video: 102 | The OnePlus 9 Pro is expected to have noticeably better camera performance overall. |
| Features | OIS, Quad Camera, Optical Zoom, RAW 12-bits | OIS, Triple Camera, Dual PDAF | The OnePlus 9 Pro offers more versatile shooting options with optical zoom and raw image capture, while Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers additional autofocus with Dual PDAF |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4800 mAh | Motorola Edge 30 Pro may provide a slightly longer battery life for day-to-day tasks. |
| Charging | 65W wired, 50W wireless | 68W wired, 15W wireless | The Motorola Edge 30 Pro charges slightly faster wired. OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly faster wireless charging capabilities. |
| Features | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | The OnePlus 9 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. The Motorola offers wired reverse charging |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density (1440x3216, 525 ppi) for crisper visuals.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: Significantly higher screen brightness (1300 nits).
- More Versatile Camera System: Features optical zoom, a dedicated wide-angle lens, and a monochrome sensor, resulting in a higher DxOMark score.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 50W wireless charging is considerably faster than the Motorola's 15W.
- More advanced WiFi features: Supports Wi-Fi MiMO.
- Advanced Audio Features: Offers Noise cancellation microphone.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 vs Gorilla Glass 3
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) offers better performance than the Snapdragon 888 (5nm).
- Slightly Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling
- Larger Battery: Provides slightly better battery life (4800 mAh vs. 4500 mAh).
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution (60MP) and larger sensor for detailed selfies.
- More Storage Options: Available in 512 GB option.
- Faster wired charging: 68W vs 65W wired charging.
- More Modern OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box.
- Additional Autofocus features: Offers Dual PDAF.
- Better slow-motion video: Offers 960 fps slow motion.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more convenient location.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Sacrifices some processing power for better display and camera capabilities.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro: Sacrifices display sharpness and camera versatility for processing power and battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro - Ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality, versatility, and RAW image capture.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who value a high-resolution, bright display for watching videos, browsing, and reading.
- Power Users on the Go: Those that need fast wireless charging when not near a plug.
- Users who need the most comprehensive GPS coverage: Due to the inclusion of Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) systems.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various scenarios.
- Watching HDR content with vibrant colors and high brightness.
- Heavy social media use where content quality is crucial.
- Gaming with excellent visuals
Motorola Edge 30 Pro - Ideal for:
- Gamers and Performance Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize raw processing power and speed.
- Frequent Selfie Takers: Those who want the best possible detail and sharpness from their front-facing camera.
- Users Who value Battery Life: Those who are frequently away from charging outlets.
- Users who value modern OS versions: Android 12 out of the box.
Use Cases:
- Running demanding games and applications smoothly.
- Taking high-resolution selfies.
- General productivity tasks with smoother performance.
- Extended use throughout the day without the need to charge.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera quality and versatility or raw processing power?
- Is display sharpness and brightness more important than battery life and processing power?
- How often do you use wireless charging and is fast charging essential?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you're a photography enthusiast who also consumes a lot of media: The OnePlus 9 Pro is a better choice because of its superior camera system, better screen with higher resolution and brightness.
- If you're a gamer or someone who needs top-tier performance and longer battery life: The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the better choice due to its more powerful chipset, larger battery and higher refresh rate.
- If fast wireless charging and better camera performance is crucial: The OnePlus 9 Pro is better.
- If having the latest Android version and best selfie experience is important: The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is better.
Final Recommendation:
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a more powerful chipset and slightly better battery life, I believe the OnePlus 9 Pro's superior display quality, more versatile camera system, significantly faster wireless charging, and enhanced audio features make it a more compelling overall package for my needs.
The better display and camera are important for me because I do a lot of mobile photography and watch a lot of videos on my phone. The faster wireless charging is also a big benefit for me as I use wireless charging more than wired. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is superior in performance, the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro is still very capable for day-to-day tasks and gaming. The OnePlus 9 Pro's better screen protection also provides a peace of mind.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual priorities. If raw performance and battery life are paramount, then the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the better choice. However, for my specific use case, I find that the OnePlus 9 Pro provides a more well-rounded experience.
